Governor asks state employees to report to work with no budget

By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants state workers to keep government going Wednesday even without a budget to pay them.

Blagojevich sent a letter to state employees Tuesday asking them to report to work as usual and promising they will get paid for doing so.

The one-month budget plan that lawmakers passed for July ends Wednesday, and legislative leaders say they’re not interested in passing another one. They’re working on a full-year budget instead.

Blagojevich’s office says contingency plans are being worked on in case the impasse continues. But his staff won’t discuss details of the contingencies or say at what point they would need to be put in place.

Comptroller Dan Hynes says the state should be able to function without problems until Aug. 8.

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